Song for Ireland [1988 Version] - Mary Black, Colclough, Phil
Mo Ghile Mear - Mary Black, Moloney, Paddy
Men of Worth - Mary Black, Fisher, Archie
Fare Thee Well My Own True Love - Mary Black, Traditional
She Moves Through the Fair - Mary Black, Traditional
Both Sides the Tweed - Mary Black, Gaughan, Dick
Hard Times (Come Again No More) - Mary Black, Foster, Stephen [1]
I Live Not Where I Love - Mary Black, Public Domain [1]
Isle of St. Helena - Mary Black, Traditional
My Youngest Son Came Home Today - Mary Black, Bogle, Eric
Mary Black's Collected album, as originally released in Ireland on cassette in 1984, combined three tracks from DeDanann's " Song for Ireland " album (1983), three tracks from the " General Humbert II " album (1982), and f... more »our tracks recorded by Mary Black during October of 1984 especially for the album. Mary re-recorded " Song for Ireland " for the Collected CD, released in Ireland in 1988.
When composer Archie Fisher was commissioned to write a song for a BBC program celebrating the new oil economy of Scotland, he submitted Men of Worth, a song which points out the pitfalls of trading a way of life for easy company money. Although Men of Worth was rejected for its original purpose, it may well become an anthem in this age of multinational corporations.
Mary is backed up by Uilleann Pipes and Sitar on the traditional She Moves Through The Fair.
Both Sides The Tweed features Robert Burns' poem set to music by Dick Gaughan.
Hard Times is by the 19th Century American composer, Stephen C. Foster.
Isle of St. Helena takes a playful look at Napoleon's exile as a reminder that one's status in life is never assured.
My Youngest Son Came Home Today is a classic anti-war song by Scotland's Eric Bogle.« less
Mary Black's Collected album, as originally released in Ireland on cassette in 1984, combined three tracks from DeDanann's " Song for Ireland " album (1983), three tracks from the " General Humbert II " album (1982), and four tracks recorded by Mary Black during October of 1984 especially for the album. Mary re-recorded " Song for Ireland " for the Collected CD, released in Ireland in 1988.
When composer Archie Fisher was commissioned to write a song for a BBC program celebrating the new oil economy of Scotland, he submitted Men of Worth, a song which points out the pitfalls of trading a way of life for easy company money. Although Men of Worth was rejected for its original purpose, it may well become an anthem in this age of multinational corporations.
Mary is backed up by Uilleann Pipes and Sitar on the traditional She Moves Through The Fair.
Both Sides The Tweed features Robert Burns' poem set to music by Dick Gaughan.
Hard Times is by the 19th Century American composer, Stephen C. Foster.
Isle of St. Helena takes a playful look at Napoleon's exile as a reminder that one's status in life is never assured.
My Youngest Son Came Home Today is a classic anti-war song by Scotland's Eric Bogle.
"It was while driving on Highway 83, heading off to work, that I first came into contact with the voice of Mary Black. There I was driving along, humming, meandering among my thoughts whle traveling the blacktop when over the radio poured out a voice smooth as water with a depth and beautiful tonality that grabbed at my heart from the first note. Her "Song of Ireland" which is featured on this C.D. is not only my favorite song of hers but my favorite song of all. The words, the music, the melody line, and finally her voice combine to create not just a song but an experience. I was transported and frozen deep in listening while driving in the early morning traffic. Even after the last note dissapeared and I had scrambled to jot down the name of this amazing singer as the D.J. announced it, her song, her voice, stayed with me making my day that much brighter, more perfect, certianly more enjoyable. Mary Black's voice is an experince no true music lover should be without and I highly recommend this C.D. END"
The finest collection of a unique and pure voice.
nelsonea@uwec.edu | 02/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This collection draws from some of Mary's strongest work in the earlier portion of her career. Achingly pure is how I describe her voice. The album begins with her signature song, "Song for Ireland," which was re-recordered for this release. The song will grow on you if it doesn't captivate you immediately. It is followed by one of the few songs in Gaelic about Bonnie Prince Charlie. It has blown me away for years and continues to do so. For a change of pace, next comes a song by the Scottish balladeer, Archie Fisher, "Men of Worth." Mary's arrangement captures all the rhythmic and instrumental power that the song's message demands. The album's blend of traditional and contemporary themes is weighted toward the traditional, but the range of settings is very broad, so one doesn't tire of this collection. In "She Moved Through the Fair," originally a poem by James Stephens, the words and the arrangement are totally unlike anything I've ever heard. It shows, I believe, her willingness to stretch and create something truly unique. If you like a strong female voice both literally and figuratively, you must have this album."
Favorite Mary Black CD
Catnip | USA | 07/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own most of Mary Black's CD's, but this one is my favorite. In fact, I believe it may be my favorite CD by a female performer. Ms. Black's voice is crystal clear and haunting. When she sings "Song for Ireland," I can picture the cliffs and ocean in my mind. In my opinion, this CD has the best of Ms. Black's traditional Irish music."
A perfect melding of a beautiful voice with great material.
Catnip | 11/09/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Mary Black's voice and this is her finest collection of music. Her renditions of traditional songs "Mo Ghile Mear", "She Moves Through the Fair", and "Fair Thee Well My Own True Love" are inspired . Her signature song, "Song for Ireland" is powerful and the anti-war song "My Youngest Son Came Home Today" is a work of art. Some might say that "No Frontiers" is her finest album/CD but I prefer this because of the more traditional flavor. I just saw Mary in concert and she sang a few of the songs from this album but many more from "No Frontiers". So maybe I'm alone in my preference. Either way,if she comes through your town, don't miss her. Mary Black has a pure, powerful, and incredible voice."
Missing Anachie
Eric K. Talerico | Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA | 09/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had this album on Cassette - owned several different copies over the years, all of them worn beyond repair. Although I owned many other recordings by Ms. Black, Collected was my first, and remains my favorite. I was elated several years back to find this had been reissued on CD. The recordings are clear and pure, and the digital format has really made them clearer and purer. My one disappointment on the CD was that, rather than including "Anachie Gordon" from the original lineup of the album, Mary has instead included "Song For Ireland" which is a wonderful song - don't get me wrong! But I miss Anachie.
A few other favorites - Ms. Black's version of "Mo Ghile Mar" is, hands down, the definitive one. Her voice strikes the perfect emotive notes on this.
"On Both Sides the Tweed" remains one of the most beautiful and moving songs of peace ever recorded. Thanks to Dick Gaugan for writing it, but Mary Black's version is the one that gives me chills.
Even with the aforementioned substitution, this is quite simply one of the best recordings ever made, in any genre. The voice of Mary Black is a force to be reckoned with."